Lord Chesterfield Wise Quotations

In seeking wisdom thou art wise; in imagining that thou hast attained it - thou art a fool.

Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough.

A young fellow ought to be wiser than he should seem to be; and an old fellow ought to seem wise whether he really be so or not.

A wise man will live as much within his wit as within his income.

Violent measures are always dangerous, but, when necessary, may then be looked on as wise. They have, however, the advantage of never being matter of indifference; and, when well concerted, must be decisive.

A wise man will live as much within his wit as his income.... Bear this truth always in your mind, that you may be admired for your wit, if you have any; but that nothing but good sense and good qualities can make you be loved.

Wise people may say what they will, but one passion is never cured by another.

Not to care for philosophy is to be a true philospher.

Young men are as apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are to think themselves sober enough. They look upon spirit to be a much better thing than experience; which they call coldness. They are but half mistaken; for though spirit without experience is dangerous, experience without spirit is languid and ineffective.